The Wife

This is my attempt to write down in a few paragraphs about who Elliot is. I hope it helps you feel like you know her a little better; it certainly has helped me realize how much I like her.

The first thing you might notice when meeting Elliot is her beauty. She radiates beauty and it all starts with that continuous smile. When I think of Elliot, sometimes I remember the lyrics to a Counting Crow’s song that go something like this, “(Elliot) you’re better than the world. They took a lot of time, getting it right on this girl.” Soon you find that Elliot’s beauty extends beyond her physic and into a resplendence about her person. I may be a little biased, but I think she is the most beautiful girl in the entire world. (and the mushiness is just beginning)

Soon after meeting her you start to notice she is a girl of ability. She has a bottomless bag of talents, qualities, and skills at her disposal. She is one of those people who seem to be good at anything! She often pulls from this bag to bless the lives of those around her. Whether it is editing papers for a desperate roommate, or collecting water for the needy in Haiti, she is always looking to help. Even with this unfair amount of natural can-do, a recurring theme in Ell's life is meekness.

Elliot doesn’t cast her pearls before swine. I have never known someone so reluctant to “show off” or in modern vernacular “one-up.” this is where I would list all her awards and accomplishments but she would just erase them. Seriously though, she has secrets projects that would blow your mind. Discovering her special character has been one of the greatest gifts of my life and maybe, just maybe it will rub off a little on me.

Athleticism runs in Elliot's family and she is an active girl. Whether it's on the volleyball court or behind a boat on Lake Powell she loves adrenaline, action and competition. (never play Disney SceneIt with her!) She also loves snowboarding. Unless she gets too cold. We have to make sure she always has plenty of layers on because poor Elliot gets a little grumpy when it's cold.

My girl loves to travel. She has already seen at least three of the four corners of the earth. If I ever make an extra cent or two, with whatever profession I decide on, I'm going to make sure she finds something for us to see in some far off land.

Elliot is oft a wee bit shy when you first meet her. Her shyness is not inactivity. This outward demeanor would fool anyone except those who really know her. She is very aware of what it going on around her. It is often her that points out the characters that should be on that hilarious web site people of Wal-mart. Elliot is an observer. She notices details, appreciates the little things and understands what is going on around her all the time. Don’t get me wrong, she has her blond moments, but they are fairly rare. Love you Ell.

Here are some funny facts about Ell's personality. Elliot finds stories irresistible, watched Saturday morning cartoons well into her teens, would kill to go back to the age of ten, and has remarkable imagination. She always tells me about this dragon that makes mischief when she gets bored; I think she still thinks he is real. If she’s comfortable enough with the guests, Elliot is at her best at the head of a party no matter the age group. She likes to make holidays grand and everyday things special. With the imagination of a child, she has the creative skills of a genius. She wants to be the creator of fun for everyone, and has skills up to the challenge.

To close it wouldn’t be a portrait of Elliot unless I mentioned her writing. Read anything she has written and it’s self-evident. If I had to describe Elliot in a word I might say…well, “words.” She uses words to create with great skill. She has the gift of a smooth voice that draws you in. She puts down complex ideas in itty-bitty writing space. I love that she writes and hope she pursues this gift throughout her life. I am sure we would all reap the benefits.

In short, I think Elliot is mostly perfect.

I love Elli

The Husband

Name: 

Roy Buckmaster

Date of Birth: December 25, 1985

Height: 6”1

Weight: 170

Academia: Bachelor’s in Political Science by July 2010

After stealing a quick peek at Roy’s extensive description of me, I decided my little list of info isn’t going to cut it.  That’s one thing you can count on Roy for: exceeding expectations. 

That was clear on our first date, when we doubled with my roommate, Syd and her date.  I wont mention the name of this one-time date of hers, but he was supposed to be in charge of planning the evening.  Roy, however, made sure he got this guy’s phone number from me so that he could help.  Our first activity was a hike up “R” Mountain.  Sydney’s date brought baseball caps.  We each wore one.  Roy… he brought a hardcore hiking backpack filled with food, props, and games.  He carried them all the way up the mountain too!  Sorry Syd… my date totally outshined yours. 

Although he works hard, anyone who knows Roy might think he’s quite laid back.  True, but this is where he gets complicated.  He may be easy-going and generally simple to please, but he also has some strong opinions.  Sometimes about silly things (i.e. our blog background not looking like a “girlie scrapbook”) but usually revolving around the political genre one would expect from someone in his field of study. 

Sometimes this trait is even reflected in his movie watching.  He doesn’t just stare blankly at the screen and grunt his approval or disgust as the credits roll (like most men in my life have).  He dives into deep discussion about the symbolic meaning of different scenes or relates the movie to other works or aspects of life.  Watching movies and talking about them has definitely become one of our favorite activities to do together.  Oh… but if the movie doesn’t interest him from the beginning there is a 98% chance that he will be quietly snoozing in his seat by the climax. 

Roy likes to read when he has the time.  Not my guilty pleasures like Twilight or A Great and Terrible Beauty, but biographies on Hugh Nibley or those inspirational self-help books, etc.  You know, the books that actually make you smarter once you’re finished with them.

But if he had to choose, he’d rather play basketball than read.  If there’s ever a pickup game, Roy’s there.  He also plays football, occasionally.  Needless to say, he’s athletic.  Yet he turned down any would-be-scholarships for an opportunity to serve a mission in Brazil.  For two years he was in the Belo Horizonte mission spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He has been back for a few years now, but the experience has made a lasting impression on his character, and now I’m reaping the blessings too!

All of his favorite places to be are outdoors.  He loves hiking, fishing, rafting, camping, biking- anything out in the fresh open air.  There have been countless times when we spontaneously decided to go run through sprinklers or try night fishing (notice “try”) and we always have the best time.  When he came with our family to Lake Powell last summer (and met my parents for the first time) he mastered the seadoos in no time flat.  When it comes to sports and the outdoors, he’s good at and enjoys everything he tries. 

But when it comes to some other things, such as memory… my sweetheart has a pretty hilariously horrible memory for where he has put things or where he has met people.  Unfortunately for him, I have a similar problem.  Ask my roommates- it’s pretty funny to watch us scrambling around looking for car keys we set down somewhere only minutes before. 

Still, he never forgets sweet things like my favorite flowers.  He showed up on my doorstep with beautiful white tulips just the other day, for no reason other than to “be a good fiancé.”  Whatever is important to me, he makes a point to lock in his mind.  Just one of the billion reasons why I love him.

Yet another reason is this; Roy recently invested in a planner/calendar for us.  Now he whips it out on regular basis to write down our daily, weekly, monthly goals and to check if we are following up.  Seriously, since this started we have been on a roll with everything!  Just look at how we spit out those save-the-dates!  Roy is so good at improving and getting things done, and he is encouraging me to be my best. 

Not only does he constantly make me want to be my best, but he also treats me like a queen.  That kindness isn’t only reserved for me, either.  His compassion is shown even to complete strangers.  He is an awesome example to me.

So now you have a slight glimpse of whom I fell for. 

And I fell hard.